Monday, February 22, 2016

A most meaningful gift of teawares

Some especially meaningful teawares came my way last week. After my friend Ann's mother, Dean, passed away, Ann asked if I would like any of her mother's old dishes and even sent me some photos to choose from. I knew immediately what I wanted. Years ago, I bought some moss rose tea and toast sets that had belonged to her mom, so when I saw the matching teapot, I knew that's what I would most like. I also had the pleasure of enjoying a few social occasions with her mother, who was a retired nurse, on several occasions, so I have a lovely lady to think of whenever I use this teapot. (I also remember eating some of her spiced pecans at a shower, and they were the best pecans I've ever eaten!)

When I got to Ann's house, however, I found she had assembled a few extras as well, mostly things that featured that same moss rose design. In fact, we have a mutual friend named Barbara, who is Ann's best friend, and she said, "Oh, here, Barbara pulled these for you as well." I couldn't help grinning, because I had insisted I wanted only the teapot, but as you can imagine, it isn't very hard to wear me down when teawares are involved! In fact, later this week I'll share more of them—and some wonderful old books I came home with as well.

The bowl and the vase were easy pieces to identify, but I was intrigued by this pretty heart-shaped set of pieces. Ann and I both guessed these were once used as ashtrays (imagine!), maybe with the little rounded piece at the top of the heart used for resting the cigarette. But I have been to a tearoom where old Tiara glass ashtrays were called into service to hold lemon curd and even tiny pieces of cut fruit. I'll bet if I used these in a pretty table setting, no "ashes" would ever come to mind! As I told Ann, I will treasure my new teapot and all these pieces, knowing they once belonged to her sweet mother. Do you have any teawares that are meaningful because they were passed along to you in a similar way? I'd love to hear about them!

13 comments:

How lovely - both the Moss Rose pieces and the fact that they belonged to your friend's mother and were passed along to you. I have a special fondness for this pattern because I have some child-sized pieces that my grandfather gave me when I was about 8. I think that started my love of teacups! A dear friend made me a really good deal on several more pieces with this design when she had a moving sale, so they are special to me, too. They are on my dining room table right now! I've given my granddaughter a doll tea set in Moss Rose, too.

Beautiful pieces and a lovely set of china. So happy you were able to get these and add to your collection. You will always have special memories to enjoy with them as well. I have a milk glass collection that started with one piece from my mother and has grown over the years from family, friends and yard sales.

Very pretty and a lovely story to go with it. My father in law passed away this summer in Florida, and to my surprise his wife had a teapot collection. Since she is in memory care her son asked if I would like to pick a teapot to take home. It was so thoughtful of him to offer me one. I chose one made in England with pink flowers.

Angela, how wonderful your friend shared these beautiful pieces with you which will hold many memories, too. I wanted to share something about Harney and Sons from your article the other night. I think I have mentioned I go to a bistro to hang out here on our little rock in the Carribean of Vieques, Puerto Rico. They always just automatically give me an iced tea. There was a new wait person who gave me the usual menu as well as a drink list which no one had showed me before. My bistro serves Harney and Sons teas. I was so surprised that this is what I have been drinking there. The way they serve it is to put ice in a tall glass, then fill the glass with whatever tea they have made for the day. Then they put the shaker top on it and give the glass a good shake so there is froth on the top of my iced tea. I enjoyed knowing I was drinking a brand you like and wanted to share this with you. Blessings, Nancy Carr

When my late friend, Gloria, downsized, she gave me sixteen tea and toast sets. I didn't know what they were until you pointed it out on your blog. I just thought they were snack or bridge sets like the glass ones. They're very pretty - white with a metallic gold spray of wheat.

What a wonderful, thoughtful gift of remembrance. I have a few teapots one of my friends has found for me when she was out antiquing; but what is memorable is my grandfathers violet and daisy china. No teapot with the china, but I have used the plates for teatime.

What a lovely story, Angela - I can't think of a better person (you!) to take good care of and give a new home to those teawares. And it's so nice to have tea and remember that friend or relative, with a 'toast!'

I have a shamrock tea cup that my Mother used and I think of her whenever I see it. It's wonderful how a pretty teacup can bring back such fond memories. Have a great week, Angela. Joanie